Public fed up with budget stalemate

(07/22/03) HARTFORD - As lawmakers and the governor continue fight over the long-overdue state budget, a poll released on Tuesday afternoon by the University of Connecticut shows that the public is not happy with the state's political leaders.

According to the poll, Governor John Rowland (R) scored a positive rating of only 27 percent, while the state legislature only received a 25 percent positive rating. Poll director Ken Dautrich says the budget is the culprit, and the poll shows that the public is paying close attention to the government's inability to solve the budget problem. Meanwhile, the budget seems to be going nowhere.

When the legislature convened on July 1, the entire session lasted only six minutes. Aside from formalities, there was nothing to do. Some expect a replay next Monday when the legislature holds a veto session. They don't plan to override and of the governor's vetoes, but the state constitution requires that they hold the session regardless.

Meanwhile, the budget battle has shifted from dollars to dates. Republicans are proposing a one-year budget that would likely give them a strong political advantage in the upcoming election year. Democrats are saying that the one-year plan is just a gimmick, not a sound proposal for a state budget.